**VP Finance, M&A and Business Development** _Work Mode: Hybrid_ Location: Hybrid - Kohler, WI **Opportunity** The Vice President, Finance, M&A and Business Development provides strategic and financial leadership for all aspects of transaction lead generation, lead discovery, partnership development, mergers and acquisitions, and divestitures. The VP utilizes enterprise and business unit strategies to proactively analyze external company landscapes and suggest business development and M&A opportunities, in line with financial goals and timelines. They then utilize that pipeline to build relationships with target companies, gain trust, and convince them that an acquisition by or partnership with Kohler is in the best interest of their companies’ longevity and sustainability. Successful outcome is the proactive development and execution of a business development and M&A pipeline across enterprise and business units. The VP is an experienced business development and M&A (deal) professional who drives identification of partnership and acquisition opportunities, facilitates deal structure and other decision-making around deals, executes deals with excellence, and creates the requirements and framework for integration and achievement of synergies. To do this, the VP must build trust-based, thought-partner relationships with key internal (including CEO, Leadership Team members, Business Presidents, functional executives) and external stakeholders (including bankers, lawyers, consultants, partner/ target leadership, owners) across the world. Importantly, this role is the external representative of Kohler to our third-party targets and/or potential partners and must have both a straightforward and gracious approach in line with Kohler’s values and best interests. The VP partners with the CEO and the Kohler Leadership Team to develop a long-term, strategic M&A pipeline in line with Kohler’s long-term mission, strategy, and business objectives. The role works closely with the Enterprise Strategy team on strategic business case development, revenue and cost value driver identification, and quantification of strategic opportunities. The VP provides strategic thought and finance business partnership to global business leaders to unlock value through corporate development activities. The VP leads a team that drives the thought-leadership and analytics behind the deals. The team partners with the business to develop M&A landscapes, analyzes potential targets, builds (base and synergy) business cases, and drives project management of deal execution and post-closing integration activities. Individual associates on the team own specific end-to-end deals, and the VP is responsible for the direction, quality, and communication of analysis and recommendations in line with the business development and M&A pipeline and goals. As an enterprise leader, the VP is responsible for the development of a strategic, build-buy-partner mindset across the organization. The role takes the responsibility of teaching business and functional leaders how best to leverage business development and M&A to drive their strategic goals. **Accountabilities** + Develop a strategic, long-term M&A pipeline in line with Kohler’s long-term mission as well as enterprise and business strategies. + Own and lead the Enterprise M&A governance – from landscape development, transaction execution and close through integration and synergy capture. + Provide strategic thought and finance business partnership to global business leaders to unlock business value through corporate development activities. + Lead the research, identification, contact, evaluation, negotiation, due diligence, and integration of acquisition candidates or acquired companies on a global basis. + Lead the analysis, preparation and recommendations for strategic investments, acquisitions and divestitures including the development of strategic rationale, testing, and verification of value creation hypothesis. + Lead global cross functional teams through the acquisition or divestiture execution process including due diligence, financial modeling, integration, and carve-out planning. + Responsible for driving internal alignment; facilitating internal and external negotiations and decision making to unlock business value. + Build external relationships and networks to facilitate effective and efficient pipeline development, transaction execution, and value capture. + Negotiate with acquisition candidates and divestiture acquirers on behalf of Kohler Co., maintaining a gracious character towards the external parties. + Lead post-acquisition integration planning activities. + Evaluate and report on integration progress – including financial performance – of acquired entities. + Build and maintain external relationships and networks to facilitate effective & efficient identification of potential acquisition candidates. + Monitors and scans market / industry rumors, insights, and news for partnership and M&A opportunities and risks. + Perform strategic financial analysis as part of strategic planning process. + Lead and continually upskill a high performing, cross functional team; maintain the highest bar for analysis, deliverables, relationships, project management, etc. of the team. **Skills/Requirements** + Bachelor’s degree in finance, Economics, or Accounting with demonstrated quantitative/analytical capability and excellent academic record is required; MBA Degree is preferred. + Minimum fifteen (15) years' work experience, 10+ years in corporate development, investment banking, or private equity required, experience in strategic consulting, financial advisory, or venture capital a plus. + Industry experience a plus. + Experience in private and public acquisitions of various sizes or investments (<$10M to >$1B), divestitures, and related carve-out work both domestically and internationally. + Exceptional analytical and conceptual problem-solving skills. + Ability to creatively structure deals, connect dots across disparate stakeholders and requirements, synthesize recommendations. + Track record building strong working relationships with senior internal and external executive leaders, including influencing without authority. + Extensive experience in integrated financial and valuation modeling/analysis. + Excellent project management and execution ability required to operationalize plans and deliver impactful results. + Extreme attention to detail. + Proven track record leading high performing teams. + Ability to manage a demanding workload in a highly matrixed, global environment. + Excellent written and verbal communication skills required; ability to effectively lead and present ideas, information and recommendations to executives and shareholders. + Ability and willingness to meet accelerated deadlines through flexibility in work mode and hours. + Requires up to 50% presence in Kohler, WI – exceptional Chicago-based candidates will be considered; travel up to 35%, including internationally. **Important Notice:** This position is being managed by an external recruiting agency, Charles Aris. Please note that applications submitted through this careers page will not be actively monitored. To learn more about the role or express interest, reach out directly to the agency handling the search. Thank you for your understanding! Charles Aris, Diane Fedor. Diane.Fedor@charlesaris.com \#LI-DNI **_Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without requiring sponsorship now or in the future._** _The salary range for this position is $250,050 - $332,050. The specific salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors including the candidate’s experience, their education, and the work location. In addition, this position is eligible for a performance bonus/variable incentive compensation. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision & 401k._ **Why Choose Kohler?** We empower each associate to #BecomeMoreAtKohler with a competitive total rewards package to support your health and wellbeing, access to career growth and development opportunities, a diverse and inclusive workplace, and a strong culture of innovation. With more than 30,000 bold leaders across the globe, we’re driving meaningful change in our mission to help people live gracious, healthy, and sustainable lives. **About Us** It is Kohler’s policy to recruit, hire, and promote qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran. If, as an individual with a disability, you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact kohlerjobs@kohler.com . Kohler Co. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.